Fruit-picker



L. S. THORNESS.

FRUIT PICKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-ZM IQIQ.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

2 b I \nnnr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS SYLVEfiTER THORNES S, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

FRUIT-PICKER.

Application filed February 24, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis SYLvnsTER Trronnnss, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Tacoma in the county of Pierce and State oflVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFruit-Pickers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fruit pickers and it has for its object theprovision of an improved device of this character by means of whichfruits may be more expeditiously and safely harvested than by any deviceheretofore available.

In order that the advantages of this device may be appreciated it shouldbe remem-- bered that in harvesting fruit it is not alone necessary todislodge the fruit but it is equally as important to deliver it to thereceiving receptacles absolutely without such such shock or jar as wouldbruise it, because bruises result in quick rotting of the fruit.

In order to. efiiciently accomplish the foregoing result, the presentinvention is so designed as to provide:

a. A cutting off mechanism adapted to sever the stem of the fruit tothereby release the same from the tree without such agitation or shakingof the branches of the tree as would be likely to dislodge adjacentfruits Z). An operating mechanism for the cutting off mechanism adaptedto be operated by the pressure of the thumb so that the device may beheld and operated by one hand, leaving the other hand free to catch thefruit; and

o. A chute by which the fruit is directed into the hand of the operator,said chute being provided with a lateral opening through which the handof the operator may be inserted, as will be hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate corresponding parts Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved fruit picking device;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view.

In the drawing, 5 designates a light wooden handle carrying'at its upperend a ferrule 6 which terminates in a pair of spaced Wing-like plates 7and 8, the space between which, indicated at 9, serves to receive thestems of the fruit, which stems are guided thereinto by the plates 7 and8. A knife 10 is pivoted at 11 and moves across Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Serial No. 278,894.

the space 9 and serves to cut the stems of the fruit. A spring 12 servesto retract this knife. A wire 13 is connected at one end to an arm 14:of knife 1'0and at its opposite end to one of the arms 15 of a bellcrank lever 16, the latter being pivoted at 17 in a-cut-out portion ofthe-handle 5. The terminal end of the lever 16 is provided with a pad orbutton 18 which lies in such position with relation to the handle 5 thatthe said pad or button may be pressed by the thumb of the operator whilethe structure as a whole is held in the hand. The wire 13 is preferablyguided around the bend of the ferrule 6 by means of a guide clip 6. Thiswire may be additionally guided by suitable eyelets 19 carried by handle5.

Disposed at such distance below the plates 7 and 8 as to permit thefruit to pass freely therethrough is a ring'20, a shank 21 of whichpasses through the handle and i secured therein by a nut 22. A like ring23 is disposed adjacent the lower part of the handle and is held inplace by a shank 24 and nut 25. The ring 23 is. larger in diameter thanring 20. A fabric chute 26 has its upper end secured to the ring 20 andis provided adjacent the ring 23 with a reinforcing cord 26 whichextends therearound. A lacing 27 engages ring 23 and cord 26 and servesto hold the fabric chute concentrically within the ring 23, so thatsagging of the chute will be prevented and at the same time bruising ofthe fruit by contact with ring 23 will be guarded against. If desired,an additional ring 23, cord 26* and lacing 27, corresponding. to theparts 23, 26 and 27 may be provided intermediate the length of thechute. A bag 28 may be secured by suitable snap-hooks 29 to the lowerend of the chute, said bag being provided with a hand-hole 30 throughwhich the hand of the operator may be thrust. This bag serves to receivethe'fruit when it becomes necessary for the operator to use both handsin engaging the cutting-01f mechanism with a stem located in aninconvenient position Or when for any other reason it is inconvenientfor the operator to hold one hand in position to catch the fruit.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the objects soughtare efliciently attained by means of the structure shown and described.However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theprecise construction set forth but that it includes Within its purviewWhatever changes fairly come Within either the spirit or the terms ofthe appended claims."

l-Iaving described my invention, What "I claimisi 1. A device of thecharacter described, comprising a supporting handle, a ferrule imountedupon the upper end thereof and 10 terininatingin a palr of spacedflaring plates, a [knife operating across the space between said plates,an operating handle earrying :a thumb engaging piece pivoted .n' thehandle. adj acent the lower end, thereof,

15 a connection between the operating handle nd fllBxkIlifG and a springfor normally =plates and having a closed bag-like bottom, the latterhaving an elongated handhole in the side thereof and means fordetachably connecting the bag-like bottom to the chute.

2. A structure as recited in claim 1 in combination with rings carriedby the handle and surrounding the chute and of such d ameter as to116111 spaced relation to the chute and means for holding the chuteconcentrlcally Withln said rings.

In testimony whereof I aflix mysignatui'e.

LOUIS SYLVESTERTIIORNESS.

